Waterproof electrical connector

ABSTRACT

The connector includes a male and female member adapted to be interconnected with one another, and a fastening member draws the male and female members together to form a waterproof seal therebetween by means of a suitable sealing means. A clamping member is mounted on the male member for clamping the male member in place within a hole in a suitable support means and for providing a waterproof seal therewith. Adapter means and compressing means are also supported on the female connector member to provide an effective waterproof seal between the female connector member and an electrical lead means associated therewith.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Paul Brundza 662 97th St., Marathon,Fla. 33050 [21] Appl. No. 698,780 [22] Filed Jan. 18, 1968 [45] PatentedOct. 12, 1971 [54] WATERPROOF ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 5 Claims, 3 DrawingFigs.

[52] US. Cl 339/89 R, 339/94 A, 339/185 R [51] Int. Cl H0lr 13/54 [50]Field of Search 339/89, 90, 94, 185, 206, 207, 221

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,152,005 8/1915 Clark339/221 M 3,445,805 5/1969 McLoad..... 339/89 1,374,529 4/1921Simm0ns.... 339/94 2,231,366 2/1941 Mehr 339/8 P 3,017,597 l/1962 Navaet al. 339/64 3,181,105 4/1965 Roach et al... 339/94 3,290,639 12/1966Driemeyer.... 339/94 3,307,138 2/1967 Swartz v 339/39 3,402,382 9/1968DeTar 339/103 Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Attorney.lames E. BryanABSTRACT: The connector includes a male and female member adapted to beinterconnected with one another, and a fastening member draws the maleand female members together to form a waterproof seal therebetween bymeans of a suitable sealing means. A clamping member is mounted on themale member for clamping the male member in place within a hole in asuitable support means and for providing a waterproof seal therewith.Adapter means and compressing means are also supported on the femaleconnector member to provide an effective waterproof seal between thefemale connector member and an electrical lead means associatedtherewith.

PATENTEU B 12 3,613,048

INVENTOR PAUL BRUNDZA BY W 6; M

ATTORNE WATERPROOF ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thepresent invention relates to a new and novel electrical connector whichis substantially waterproof and is adapted to be used in underwaterapplications where it is constantly in the presence of water, andwherein the water may be under considerable pressure.

The present invention is especially adapted for many oceanographicapplications such as providing electrical connections required inunderwater photography and the like.

Electrical connectors used in such applications must of course besubstantially waterproof and resistant to the deleterious results of seawater.

Prior art underwater electrical connectors have often proved not to bewaterproof, and leakage encountered with such arrangements has causedserious problems resulting in ineffective electrical connections.Additionally, prior art structures have often been formed of materialswhich will not withstand the presence of sea water for extended periodsof time.

A further disadvantage of many arrangements of this type is the factthat they often fail when subjected to substantial water pressuresencountered in oceanographic applications at relatively large distancesbelow the surface of the water.

Furthermore, conventional constructions for use in similar applicationsare of relatively complicated, bulky and expensive construction and haveproved to be difficult to assemble and disassemble in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the arrangement of the present invention,the various components of the structure are threadedly interconnectedwith one another and provided with suitable sealing means therebetweenso as to ensure a waterproof seal at all times. The exposed componentsof the present invention are also formed of a suitable substance such asplastic or the like which is substantially impervious to water and iscorrosion resistant so that the connector is adapted to effectivelyfunction even when immersed in sea water for long periods of time.

The arrangement of the present invention is also such that it is adaptedto withstand relatively high water pressures since all of the componentsare of rugged construction and are interconnected in such a manner as toprovide maximum strength and rigidity to the overall assembly void ofairspaces.

A further feature of the present invention is the fact that theconstruction is relatively simple, compact and cheap in construction,and yet at the same time is quite sturdy and reliable in use, andfurther may be assembled and disassembled with ease in the field.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and novelwaterproof electrical connector which is substantially waterproof andwill retain the desired characteristics at relatively high pressuresbeneath the surface of water; which will withstand the presence of seawater over extended periods of time without deleterious results; andfurther, which is relatively simple, compact and inexpensive inconstruction and which may be readily assembled and disassembled when sodesired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an overall view of theconnector of the present invention illustrating it mounted in operativeposition on a suitable support means and connected with suitableelectrical lead means;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the connector of thepresent invention on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 33 ofFIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingswherein like reference characters designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, as seen particularly in FIG. 1, a suitablesupport means 10 in the form of a bulkhead, wall or plate and the likeof any suitable material is provided, the support means having a hole 12formed therethrough through which the electrical connector of thepresent invention is adapted to extend.

The electrical connector is indicated generally by reference numeral 14and includes a male connector means 18 and a female connector means 20.These connector means as well as the remaining components of theconnector other than the sealing rings hereinafter described are formedof a substantially water-impervious and corrosion-resistant materialsuch as a suitable plastic or the like, and a particularly well-suitedsubstance is Delrin.

The male connector means 18 includes a pair of elongated male pins 24which are press fitted within corresponding bores formed in the maleconnector means 18. The inner ends 26 of these pins are rounded tofacilitate insertion of the male pins in the female pins hereinafterdescribed. The opposite ends 28 of male pins 24 extend beyond the outerend of connector means 18 and are suitably connected as by soldering orthe like to a pair of electrical leads 30.

The outer end portion 34 of male connector means 18 is threaded and isadapted to receive a generally annular clamping means or member 36having a threaded bore 38 formed therethrough which is adapted to bethreaded onto end portion 34.

Male connector means 18 includes an integral annular shoulder 40 havinga recess 42 formed therein and extending circumferentially about maleconnector 18. This recess is adapted to receive a sealing means in theform of a conventional O-ring 44 formed of a suitable resilientsubstance such as rubber or the like.

It is apparent as seen in FIG. I that in the operative positionillustrated, the male connector means extends through the hole 12 formedin support member 10, and preferably fits relatively snugly therewith.The clamping member 36 serves to draw the sealing means 44 tightlyagainst the right-hand surface of the support member as seen in thisfigure so as to provide a waterproof seal between the male connectormeans 18 and the right-hand surface of the support member. It will beunderstood that in the orientation illustrated, the right-hand surfaceof support member 10 would be exposed to the water in an underwaterapplication, while the left-hand surface of the support member mightcomprise the inner surface of a suitable housing or the like withinwhich suitable equipment is disposed, and air might be present withinthe chamber formed adjacent to the left-hand wall of the support member.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawing, the inner or opposite end of themale connector means 18 is provided with threads 50 on the outer surfacethereof, and a recess 52 is formed at this end of the male connectormeans, the inner ends of the male pins being disposed within thisrecess. As seen particularly in FIG. 3, the male pins are asymmetricallydisposed relative to the male connector means for a purpose hereinafterdescribed.

The female connector means 20 includes a pair of female pins 60 pressfitted within suitable bores provided in connector means 20. The innerends 62 of the female pins are of resilient construction, and eachincludes a longitudinally extending slot 64 so that these resilient endportions are adapted to expand slightly and snugly receive the ends 26of the male pins previously described.

The opposite end portions 66 of the female pins 60 extend beyond theouter end of female connector means 20 and are suitably secured as bysoldering or the like to electrical leads 68 extending from anelectrical lead means 70 in the form of a cable adapted for use inunderwater applications, this cable being of the usual type including anouter surrounding layer of insulating material such as rubber or thelike.

The female connector means 20 includes an integral annular collar 76thereon, and in the operative relationship seen in FIG. 2, a suitablesealing means 78 in the form of a conventional O-ring is compressedbetween the collar 76 and the adjacent end portion of the male connectormeans previously described. This sealing means is compressed in theoperative relationship illustrated by a fastening means indicatedgenerally by reference numeral 80.

Fastening means 80 includes an end wall 82 having a hole 84 formedtherethrough which is adapted to receive the outer end of the femaleconnector means 20, this hole being of smaller diameter than the collar76 formed on the female connector means so that the fastening means isnot adapted to fit over the collar 76. The fastening means includes aninternally threaded bore 86, this threaded portion being adapted tothread on the inner threaded end 50 of the male connector means fordrawing the male and female connector means together and compressing thesealing ring 78 therebetween as illustrated.

it will be noted that the female pins 60 as seen in FIG. 3 are alsoasymmetrically disposed with respect to the associated female connectormeans so that the male and female pins are adapted to fit together inonly one relative position with respect to one another to thereby ensureproper polarity of the electrical connection therebetween.

An adapter means indicated generally by reference numeral 90 has a boreformed therethrough, the inner end 92 of this bore being threaded andjoining with a further bore portion 94 which in turn joins with atapered bore portion 96. This tapered bore portion joins with a reducedbore portion 98 opening through the opposite end of the adapter means. Aflat shoulder we is formed between the threaded bore portion 92 and thebore portion 94 of adapter means 90. When the threaded bore portion 92is threaded on the outer threaded end portion 102 of the femaleconnector means, a suitable sealing means 104, such as a conventionalO-ring is compressed between the flat shoulder 100 and the outer end ofthe female connector means to provide a waterproof seal therebetween.

The adapter means 90 comprises in effect a wire reducer within whichelectrical lead means of many different-sized outer diameters may beemployed.

Compressing means indicated generally by reference numeral 110 has athreaded bore portion 112 formed therethrough which joins with a taperedbore portion 114, which further is connected with a reduced outer boreportion 116. The threaded bore portion 112 of the compressing means 110is adapted to be threaded upon the outer threaded end portion H06 of theadapter means, a suitable sealing means 120 in the form of aconventional O-ring being compressed between the tapered bore portion114 of the compression means and the outer insulated portion of theelectrical lead means 70 previously described so as to provide aneffective waterproof seal therewith.

it is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided according tothe present invention a new and novel waterproof electrical connectorwherein the parts thereof are adapted to withstand the presence of seawater and the like over extended periods of time. The various componentsof the structure are threadedly interconnected with one another andprovide a suitable interengaging sealing means so as to provide asubstantially waterproof construction which is quite rigid and sturdy soas to effectively withstand relatively high water pressures.Additionally, the overall arrangement is quite simple, compact andinexpensive to manufacture, and yet at the same time it may be readilyassembled and disassembled by threading the various threaded portionsthereof onto or off of one another as the case may be.

, lclaim:

l. A waterproof electrical connector comprising relatively rigid maleconnector means having bores formed therein, male pin means press fittedwithin each of said bores formed therein, female pin means press fittedwithin each of said lastmentioned bores and extending therefrom forengaging and providing an electrical connection with said male pinmeans, said female connector means including a threaded outer endportion, ada ter means includin a threaded end threaded on the threadeend portion of said emale connector means, said adapter means having abore formed therethrough including a tapered bore portion, sealing meansfor providing a water proof seal between said male connector means andsaid female connector means, and fastening means interengaging said maleconnector means and said female connector means for drawing the male andfemale connector means together with said sealing means compressedtherebetween.

2. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein the bore formedthrough said adapter means includes a reduced bore portion, said adaptermeans having a threaded outer end portion formed thereon.

3. An electrical connector as defined in claim 2 including compressingmeans having threads formed thereon, the threads of said compressingmeans being threaded on the threaded outer end portion of said adaptermeans.

4. An electrical connector as defined in claim 3 wherein saidcompressing means has a bore formed therethrough said bore including atapered bore portion, and sealing means engaging the tapered boreportion of said compressing means for providing an effective waterproofseal with an associated electrical lead means.

5. A waterproof electrical connector comprising relatively rigid maleconnector means having bores formed therein, male pin means press fittedwithin each of said bores and extending therefrom, relatively rigidfemale connector means having bores formed therein, female pin meanspress fitted within each of said last-mentioned bores and extendingtherefrom for engaging and providing an electrical connection with saidmale pin means, sealing means for providing a waterproof seal betweensaid male connector means and said female connector means, and fasteningmeans interengaging said male connector means and said female connectormeans for drawing the male and female connector means together with saidsealing means compressed therebetween, said male pin means beingasymmetrically mounted on the male connector means, said female pinmeans being asymmetrically mounted on the female connector means andreceiving said male pin means, said male connector means including athreaded outer end portion, an annular clamping means including athreaded bore, said clamping means being threaded on the threaded outerend portion of said male connector means, said male connector meansincluding an annular shoulder receiving a sealing means, the oppositeend portion of said male connector means being threaded, said femaleconnector means having an annular collar formed thereon, said fasteningmeans being of generally annular construction and having a hole formedtherethrough receiving said female connector means, said fastening meansincluding an internally threaded portion threaded on said oppositethreaded end portion of said male connector means, said male connectormeans defining a recess at one end thereof, said female connector meansfitting at least partially within said recess, said female connectormeans including a threaded outer end portion, adapter means including athreaded portion threaded on said threaded end portion of the femaleconnector means, sealing means disposed between and in engagement withsaid female connector means and said adapter means, said adapter meansincluding a bore formed therethrough having a tapered bore portion and areduced bore portion, the outer end portion of said adapter means beingthreaded, compression means including a threaded portion threaded on thethreaded outer end portion of said adapter means, and sealing means inengagement with said compressing means and adapter to engage anassociated electrical lead means to provide an effective waterproof sealtherewith.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,613,048 Dated October 12, 1971 Inventor(s) Paul Brundza It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3 line 68, after "bores" insert and extending therefrom,relatively rigid female connector means having bores Signed and sealedthis 19th day of September 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.F'LETCI*IER,JR. ROERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents DRM PO-105D(10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-909 u s covcmmim PIINHNGorrlcc nu o-s-su

1. A waterproof electrical connector comprising relatively rigid maleconnector means having bores formed therein, male pin means press fittedwithin each of said bores formed therein, female pin means press fittedwithin each of said last-mentioned bores and extending therefrom forengaging and providing an electrical connection with said male pinmeans, said female connector means including a threaded outer endportion, adapter means including a threaded end threaded on the threadedend portion of said female connector means, said adapter means having abore formed therethrough including a tapered bore portion, sealing meansfor providing a water proof seal between said male connector means andsaid female connector means, and fastening means interengaging said maleconnector means and said female connector means for drawing the male andfemale connector means together with said sealing means compressedtherebetween.
 2. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 whereinthe bore formed through said adapter means includes a reduced boreportion, said adapter means having a threaded outer end portion formedthereon.
 3. An electrical connector as defined in claim 2 includingcompressing means having threads formed thereon, the threads of saidcompressing means being threaded on the threaded outer end portion ofsaid adapter means.
 4. An electrical connector as defined in claim 3wherein said compressing means has a bore formed therethrough said boreincluding a tapered bore portion, and sealing means engaging the taperedbore portion of said compressing means for providing an effectivewaterproof seal with an associated electrical lead means.
 5. Awaterproof electrical connector comprising relatively rigid maleconnector means having bores formed therein, male pin means press fittedwithin each of said bores and extending therefrom, relatively rigidfemale connector means having bores formed therein, female pin meanspress fitted within each of said last-mentioned bores and extendingtherefrom for engaging and providing an electrical connection with saidmale pin means, sealing means for providing a waterproof seal betweensaid male connector means and said female connector means, and fasteningmeans interengaging said male connector means and said female connectormeans for drawing the male and female connector means together with saidsealing means compressed therebetween, said male pin means beingasymmetrically mounted on the male connector means, said female pinmeans being asymmetrically mounted on the female connector means andreceiving said male pin means, said male connector means including athreaded outer end portion, an annular clamping means including athreaded bore, said clamping means being threaded on the threaded outerend portion of said male connector means, said male connector meansincluding an annular shoulder receiving a sealing means, the oppositeend portion of said male connector means being threaded, said femaleconnector means having an annular collar formed thereon, said fasteningmeans being of generally annular construction and having a hole formedtherethrough receiving said female connector means, said fastening meansincluding an internally threaded portion threaded on sAid oppositethreaded end portion of said male connector means, said male connectormeans defining a recess at one end thereof, said female connector meansfitting at least partially within said recess, said female connectormeans including a threaded outer end portion, adapter means including athreaded portion threaded on said threaded end portion of the femaleconnector means, sealing means disposed between and in engagement withsaid female connector means and said adapter means, said adapter meansincluding a bore formed therethrough having a tapered bore portion and areduced bore portion, the outer end portion of said adapter means beingthreaded, compression means including a threaded portion threaded on thethreaded outer end portion of said adapter means, and sealing means inengagement with said compressing means and adapter to engage anassociated electrical lead means to provide an effective waterproof sealtherewith.